Last Modified: Friday, February 22, 2013 at 12:00 a.m.

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"It takes hard work to have a great program," the Gators football coach said.

And that's what Muschamp stressed Thursday night to the Lakeland Dreadnaughts football players at the team's annual football banquet held at First Presbyterian Church.

"Players, ask yourselves every day, are you getting better, because you never stay the same," Muschamp said. "You must get better or you are just surviving, and that's a person who does just enough to get by. And I can't win with those types of players or coaches."

Muschamp is definitely getting better and is on the verge of returning the Gators to greatness.

This past season, his second season in Gainesville, Muschamp led the Gators to an 11-win season and an appearance in the Sugar Bowl, after posting a lackluster 7-6 record in 2011.

Florida lost 12 seniors from the 2012 squad, including seven from one of the nation's top defensive units. But the Gators appear to have reloaded.

Florida, once again, turned in one of the best recruiting classes in college football. According to ESPN, Florida had the No. 2-rated crop of seniors in the 2013 national recruiting war. Gainesville has become a five-star recruiting magnet.

Muschamp said the Gators environment and resources sells itself to top recruits, but it's what they do on and off the field that makes the difference in his team's success.

"There's no substitute for hard work," he said. "In order to have a great program, you must have a bunch of good players that are dedicated and committed to putting in the work to achieve the level of success that we want."

Long-time Dreadnaughts Bill Castle has tasted the accomplishments that Muschamp is striving to achieve.

Castle, who said he was honored to have Muschamp be the speaker of the hour, has led the Dreadnaught to six state titles and two national championships in his three decades of coaching Lakeland. The Dreadnaughts finished this past season with a 9-2 record and an appearance in the first round of the state playoffs.

"He's a very busy guy," Castle said about Muschamp, "and we appreciate him taking the time to come down to speak with our players and say great things about our program."

At one point a few years ago, Lakeland was a breeding ground for Gator-bound players like Chris Rainey, twin brothers Maurkice and Mike Pouncey and Ahmad Black, who all helped the Gators win at least one national championship.

Also as part of the program, Lakeland High inducted former standout-running back Dale Terrell and former administrator Dennis Dunn in the Lakeland High School Hall of Fame.

<p>LAKELAND | When asked what it takes to have a great football program, Will Muschamp fired the words quickly out of his mouth.</p><p>"It takes hard work to have a great program," the Gators football coach said.</p><p>And that's what Muschamp stressed Thursday night to the Lakeland Dreadnaughts football players at the team's annual football banquet held at First Presbyterian Church.</p><p>"Players, ask yourselves every day, are you getting better, because you never stay the same," Muschamp said. "You must get better or you are just surviving, and that's a person who does just enough to get by. And I can't win with those types of players or coaches."</p><p>Muschamp is definitely getting better and is on the verge of returning the Gators to greatness.</p><p>This past season, his second season in Gainesville, Muschamp led the Gators to an 11-win season and an appearance in the Sugar Bowl, after posting a lackluster 7-6 record in 2011.</p><p>Florida lost 12 seniors from the 2012 squad, including seven from one of the nation's top defensive units. But the Gators appear to have reloaded.</p><p>Florida, once again, turned in one of the best recruiting classes in college football. According to ESPN, Florida had the No. 2-rated crop of seniors in the 2013 national recruiting war. Gainesville has become a five-star recruiting magnet.</p><p>Muschamp said the Gators environment and resources sells itself to top recruits, but it's what they do on and off the field that makes the difference in his team's success.</p><p>"There's no substitute for hard work," he said. "In order to have a great program, you must have a bunch of good players that are dedicated and committed to putting in the work to achieve the level of success that we want."</p><p>Long-time Dreadnaughts Bill Castle has tasted the accomplishments that Muschamp is striving to achieve.</p><p>Castle, who said he was honored to have Muschamp be the speaker of the hour, has led the Dreadnaught to six state titles and two national championships in his three decades of coaching Lakeland. The Dreadnaughts finished this past season with a 9-2 record and an appearance in the first round of the state playoffs.</p><p>"He's a very busy guy," Castle said about Muschamp, "and we appreciate him taking the time to come down to speak with our players and say great things about our program."</p><p>At one point a few years ago, Lakeland was a breeding ground for Gator-bound players like Chris Rainey, twin brothers Maurkice and Mike Pouncey and Ahmad Black, who all helped the Gators win at least one national championship.</p><p>Also as part of the program, Lakeland High inducted former standout-running back Dale Terrell and former administrator Dennis Dunn in the Lakeland High School Hall of Fame.</p>